There's fear Indian democracy could metamorphose into illiberal one based on Hindutva: Ansari

Former vice president Hamid Ansari today termed India's electoral democracy a "success story" but said there was apprehension that it could metamorphose into an "illiberal" democracy based on the principles of a socio-political philosophy called Hindutva.

Speaking at the launch of his book, he said "correctives" were essential, and it was the duty of the citizens and of the civil society to raise questions.

The book was launched here by former Chief Justice of India T S Thakur in the presence of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, CPI(M) Secretary General Sitaram Yechury and a host of other leaders.

Ansari said he is concerned as a citizen about the contemporary debate in the country relating to three things-- the principles of the ideological foundations of India, what is the condition of the institutional structure by the Constitution, and the implications of these for the Indian democracy.

Talking about the book, he said, "Our electoral democracy is a success story, but it has not transformed itself into to a substantive, inclusive and participatory democracy."
There is apprehension that it could metamorphose itself into an "illiberal, ethnic democracy based on principles of a socio-political philosophy called Hindutva, whose core concepts circumscribe the ambit of citizenship."
Ansari said his approach to his book "Dare I Question? Reflections on Contemporary Challenges" has been spelt out in the preface and he has raised the question "What is it to be an Indian?"